Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-11
HE FRIGHTENS LADIES.
Strange Antics of n Mysterious Crank at
Parkersburg-The News.
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Strange Antics of n Mysterious Crank Al
Parkersburg-Th News.
Special telegram 10 the Register.
PARKERsBURG, w. Va, April lO.-An
unknown man has been conducting hiIn-
self for a number of nights past in this city
in way that is as villianOus as it is
strange. His habit is to conceal himself
behind some dark recess at part OF the
street where lie expects ladies to pass, and
seeing that they are without escorts, he
Jumps out of his hiding place utters ter
rible yell and disappears. At other times
he moves about in rubbers with a cat-like
tread, gently stepping up to his victim,
touches her upon the neck, arm or
shoulder, and disappears before she can
recognize him. In one instance an ex
ceedingly nervous lady was thus attacked,
and almost frightened TO death. She ran
home fainting in the door. The
ladies who are thus prosecuted are
of the highest social standing, The
matter is getting to be quite serious, aud
parties have attempted to detect him
being ready and, if successful, to give MN
a summary punishment. As yet, although
strongly suspicioned, no positive evidence
has been obtained sufficient to fasten the
blame. The matter has grown to such a
pass, that ladies hesitate to go out alone
in the neighbOrhOOd where he practices his
game.
The Volcano oil field is expectedt to boom
again this summer with Its Old-time life
A number of new aud paying wells have
been put down lately between Petroleum
and Volcano Junction, and tins territory
is to be operated largely in the coming
season. The West Virginia TranspOr-
tatiOn Company, l.. l.. Johnson, Fultz
Il Roberts and Wyatt x Fisher,
are the principal movers in the new Oper-
ations. Big yields are looked for, aud the
Volcano OF old is expected soon TO be seen
again.
A Fair and Park Association has been
formed here which means business. As
evidence of this fact, the following from
our principal business men are interested
in il: Charles II. ShattuCE, G.. ). DeSpard,
John Adair, Daniel K. Neal, l.. A. Cole,
j. l.. Neal, X. c. Tracewell, A. A. kellar,
\. B. White, K. E. HOrner, Il. Heber
Smith, J. Nj. Jackson, Jr., Writ Neal, A.
q. Clarke, John Busch and J. f. Carle.
Forty acres of Meals Park is TO be pur-
chased and properly fitted up. Daniel k.
Neal has been elected President and
X. Heber Smith, Secretary. On the 18th
a Board OF Directors will he elected. \ fair
is to be held this tall the outlook for which
is very encouraging.
The new Council being largely Demo
cratic all the offices will he filled with new
men. so far the name OF but one person
has been made public and that is K. Heber
Smith, whom the caucus decided upon tuI
City Attorney. For this office as well as
for others there are hosts who think them.
selves Just the ones to ill them, so many
of whom will he compelled to experience
the ingratitude OF political parties.
The Chief OF Police and his
subOrdinatcs are to be chosen and it be
hOOves the Council to exercise the highest
wisdom in their selection, rs this city
With its murders, mysterious. disappearan-
ces yilainOus prosecutions OF unprotected
women demands the closest surveillance.
Captain James Mehen, now Deputy l. ).
| Marshal, is spoken of as one who would
I'LL the bill for Chief if the salary was such
as to justify his taking H. 1t would he
money in the city's pants pocket ii the
salary should he raised to 81, 900 or 81 200
q year, aud Captain Mehen appointed. He
is 4 man of police aud detective ability,
and wOuld give the city an excellent ser
vice, as he has done in the past.